WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: HALIFAX 1-2 BURNLEY

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Elford grabs last-gasp winner in Yorkshire

2024-04-10T20:00:00.000Z

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: HALIFAX 1-2 BURNLEY

Elford grabs last-gasp winner in Yorkshire

2024-04-10T20:00:00.000Z

Elford grabs last-gasp winner in Yorkshire

Substitute Laura Elford struck with virtually the last kick of the game to edge Burnley Women past Halifax for a fifth straight league victory on Wednesday night.

Burnley defender Gracie Prior opened the scoring with her first goal for the Club, but the Clarets were pegged back by Katie Ramsden shortly before the hour.

They weren’t to be denied, however, showing plenty of character and resilience to keep fighting and find a late winner to stay 2nd in the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League.

Head Coach Rebecca Sawiuk named a much-changed line-up from the victory over fellow West Yorkshire outfit Huddersfield Town, with Prior and Dom Cooper coming into defence.

Monique Robinson started in midfield, with Leah Embley and Amaya coming into the three behind another introduced player in Aimee Kelly.

The Clarets almost made a perfect start when Kelly teed up Lizzy Hamer after just two minutes, but her shot was tipped over the bar by Halifax ‘keeper Becky Flaherty.

Prior struck with 16 on the clock, scrambling the ball in from close range after a Tilly Wilkes corner had been diverted into her path.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: HALIFAX 1-2 BURNLEY - Image 1

Burnley continued to push forward as Wilkes hit the bar with an in-swinging corner and Kelly worked Flaherty from the edge of the area, but the lead was just one at the break.

Sawiuk made two changes at halftime, with Club captain Thea Paul and Millie Ravening replacing Cooper and Amaya respectively.

The home team grew into the game and after Clarets ‘keeper Kirstie Levell got down well to save a Georgia Stevens effort, they drew level through Katie Ramsden.

A third Burnley change saw Elford enter the fray and the Clarets were now pushing forward regularly, with Kelly, Georgia Marshall and Ravening all working Flaherty in a seven-minute spell.

The winning goal eventually came in the seventh minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half as Elford pounced to score from close range after Halifax had failed to properly deal with the ball.

The striker now has eight goals in her last five outings and Burnley Women have recorded five straight wins in the process.

Burnley stay 2nd in the table with 45 points from 19 matches ahead of Sunday’s trip to Stoke City, which kicks off at 2pm.

Burnley: Levell, Marshall, Embley (Elford 59’), Hamer, Amaya (Ravening 46’), Cooper (Paul 46’), Prior, Reidford, Wilkes, Kelly, Robinson

Unused Subs: Farrell, Hartley

Halifax: Flaherty, Boydell, Dean, Darcie Greene, Drew Greene, John, Legge, Stevens, Whitham, Willis

Subs: White, Oliver

Goals: Prior 16’, Ramsden 57’, Elford 90+7